All posts tagged IOS

Apple’s voice-activated assistant is now a well-known personality in his/her own right, but unless you’ve taken the time to dig into all the features that Siri offers you might not realize just now capable it is (particularly since the arrival of iOS 7). Here are seven ways to get Siri working harder for you. Siri can not only “turn off Bluetooth” but will also help you find a setting if you don’t know where it’s located. Try asking to “change the font size” or “adjust the screen brightness” or “edit Safari settings,” and Siri will direct you to the right options page, with no need for you to search through screens yourself. Call up the app if you want to reconfigure your iOS gadget but aren’t sure where the option is (or don’t want to go through multiple taps to find it).

A few days ago, some very interesting rumors concerning Siri, Apple’s new voice assistant service for the iPhone 4S surfaced. According to the folks at jailbreaknation.com who claims to have a source close to Apple – the company is said to be testing Siri on devices other than the iPhone 4S, namely the iPhone 4 (and the iPad 2?). Apparently Apple has given its employees access to a special software build that brings Siri to older devices (in case you didn’t already know, at the moment Siri is (officially) only available on the iPhone 4S) and if testing goes well, we should see Siri on non-4S devices in the form of an update in the near future.

If these rumors turn out to be true, it looks like Apple could be blurring the line between the iPhone 4 and the 4S – since Siri is one of its main “upgrades”, with another one being the improved camera. People with an iPhone 4 wouldn’t see the need to upgrade, for Siri functionality, but then again consumers weren’t going to upgrade just for the voice assistant anyway. Would this lead to increased iPhone 4 sales (since it’s more affordable)? What do you think?

If you can lease a vehicle, why not a smartphone? That’s O2 s line of thinking, anyways, as the UK carrier has begun piloting a rental scheme – called O2 Lease – with the iPhone 4S in the driver’s seat. For a 12-month lease period and 55 per month, you’ll be able to rent the 16GB version and get 750 minutes, unlimited messaging, 500MB of data and insurance. Want a 32GB model? That’ll be an extra 10 per month. Since it’s a rental, you’ll be required to give the phone back after your year is up, but at that point you’re free to grab a new device – a great idea for anyone embarrassed to still be holding onto a primitive year-old phone. As O2 puts it: “this is the first tariff model available to all O2 customers that reflects the lifestyle of the smartphone industry.” If the pilot’s successful, the company will consider expanding its selection to more devices; since not everyone wishing to lease a smartphone wants an iPhone, we’d say the more handsets the merrier.

I recently purchased a Sphero robot for my iPhone/iPad, now I want to preface this by saying this is not a sponsored post I paid all $130 with my own cold hard cash. I was instantly intrigued by the Sphero when I first heard of it as I am with just about anything iOS related. I knew that with all the technology packed into the little ball and the ability for open programming Sphero would go a long way. Hit the break for my review.

My first impression was more than I expected as I unboxed Orbotix’s Sphero. The packaging is tight and clean, very Apple-esque and includes everything you need. One Sphero Ball, charging dock and power cable. After downloading the app and syncing Sphero up to my iPhone it automatically prompted me to standby as Sphero was due for a firmware update. That was my first wow of many as I researched the update to find out the group over at Orbotix was able to send over a Firmware update that greatly improved the maneuverability and turning radius of the ball. After the update and a quick tutorial I was ready to go and so was my son who was beyond curious now after seeing all the flashing colors. Though not as agile as a RC car it was extremely responsive to the directions I gave it and after a few minutes of playing around with it I had it racing all over the place as my 9 month old chased after it in his walker.

However running the little ball around with your iPhone is just the tip of the iceberg. Sphero has over 20 different available apps for it though two of which really stood out for me. One is The MacroLab App which allows you to set up a list of commands for Sphero to autonomously execute. Each command can be as detailed or basic as you want it to be. You can put in a command for Sphero to turn at a certain angle for x amount of time. I did one setup that allows me to place Sphero on my desktop and he moves forward, strobes his lights, spins in place and then circles back to his starting point. It’s fun to watch and the more you play with it the more advanced commands you can learn.

The other App is SpaceParty with Nyan Cat oh yes that’s right are favorite PopTart, Rainbow Farting cat now has bacon blasters to shoot dizzy sheep and drooling ghosts in space. Best part is you completely control your Nyan Cat with Sphero. Full control functions take a little getting used to but is very similar to a Wii controller.

Sphero has a long road ahead of it, I believe with app developers working on projects to use it with and the group over at Orbotix not only creating new software and firmware but Sphero accessories to. One rumored accessory is a cage with a camera that Sphero can troll around, though Sphero is both durable and waterproof I’d love to see some type of tight fitting clear rubber, shock absorbing shell that would maybe allow Sphero to battle with other Sphero’s or just make it more durable. No matter the case Sphero is a great product, at a $130 it’s pricey but well worth it! You can grab yours now from the Geeks over at ThinkGeek.

It’s been a long time coming, but Facebook has finally pulled the switch to release its official iPad app onto the App Store. The Facebook iPad app has been rumored to be in the works for a very long, the latest rumor being it possibly launching during Apple’s iPhone 4S event, which of course didn’t happen. Thankfully, we Facebook / iPad users didn’t have to wait long as the app has officially been released.

If you’ve been using Facebook on your iPad in the past, you know you either had two choices to get your social media fix: use the iPhone app or just go to the website in order to get your daily dose of Facebook goodness. Now the iPad app allows you to get the full Facebook experience straight from the app itself. Wall posts, messages, and notifications can all be viewed from within the iPad app.

We went ahead and did a walkthrough video of the app in action on an iPad 2 below. Check it out. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll watch a grown man eat Doritos and drink Sprite while Facebooking.

This week its been revealed that Apple’s newest investment into its in-house-built Google Maps application is 3D mapping firm C3 Technologies. This is the second business Apple has purchased in the same vein, the first being Poly9 – C3 having been purchased and shut down by its buyer this summer, that buyer now confirmed by 9to5mac to be Apple. C3 is in the business of creating photo-realistic models of our modern city environments using declassified missile targeting methods previously part of aerospace and defense company Saab AB. Thusly this situation is about to get hardcore.

Have a look through the images and video bits in this post and feast your eyes, ladies and gentlemen, because we’re likely not that far away from seeing our world as 3D as we’d see it in real life, but virtually controlled from your handheld device – your iPhone, in this case. Have a look at C3 Technology’s official company description to see its potential power:

C3 Technologies is the leading provider of 3D mapping solutions, offering photo-realistic models of the world for search, navigation and geographic information systems. Since 2007 when it was spun out of the aerospace and defense company Saab AB, venture-backed C3 has redefined mapping by applying previously classified image processing technology to the development of 3D maps as a platform for new social and commercial applications. The Sweden-based company’s automated software and advanced algorithms enable C3 to rapidly assemble extremely precise 3D models, and seamlessly integrate them with traditional 2D maps, satellite images, street level photography and user generated images, that together are forever changing how people use maps and explore the world.

According to the source speaking with 9to5mac, C3 Technologies CEO Mattias Astrom, CFO Kjell Cederstrand, and lead Product Manager Ludvig Emgard are each part of Apple’s iOS division. In addition, the rest of the C3 team that formerly worked in Sweden, the same place as the original C3 company and now named “Sputnik.” Thusly what we must assume is that this acquisition is slightly different from what Apple did with Siri which retained its name through its re-release on the iPhone 4S. In 2009 Apple purchased a mapping group called Placebase, and with that and these two 3D mapping groups, we must assume that Apple is set to launch their own mapping solution separate from Google maps.

AND back in April of 2011 during the so-called tracking scare, Apple released the following bit of info:

“Q: What other location data is Apple collecting from the iPhone besides crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspot and cell tower data?A: Apple is now collecting anonymous traffic data to build a crowd-sourced traffic database with the goal of providing iPhone users an improved traffic service in the next couple of years.” – Apple

So that’s a 3D Apple-generated mapping service with the ability to give you traffic feedback as well. Sound nice for a feature inside iOS 6 and the iPhone 5? Cool beans! Until then, have a look at our iPhone 4S review as well as our full review of iOS 5. Fully 3D maps on the horizon!

The original Apple-Samsung trial had it all – a gripping plot, stellar cast and lots of intrigue.

Unfortunately, like all too many sequels, the current retrial feels like just a rehash of something that was admittedly a pretty good show the first time.

Where the initial trial brought revelations including new sales figures, early iPhone prototypes and juicy insights into how Apple designs its products, no such new ground is being traversed this time around.

And, while the last trial was about dueling perspectives on innovation, this one is just about money. The first jury already decided which Samsung products infringed on which Apple products. But the judge concluded that the original jury erred in how it calculated a portion of the more than $1 billion in damages it awarded. Apple said Samsung owes it an additional $379 million in damages for the products at issue, while Samsung said $52 million is a proper figure.

From a cinematic point of view, the best thing one can say about this installment is that it is short. Each side is allowed only eight hours of witnesses, compared to the 25 hours both parties had during the original trial. Testimony is due to wrap up today, with closing arguments expected Tuesday.

Perhaps the biggest star in the retrial, Apple marketing head Phil Schiller, took the stand late last week, beginning his testimony Thursday and wrapping up on Friday morning. But most of what he said dealt with the kinds of details surrounding the iPhone launch that he shared the last time he was on the stand.

On the bench is the always entertaining Lucy Koh, the same federal judge who presided over the first case. Koh, a rising star, is known for her sharp wit and strict adherence to the clock. She famously suggested during the first trial that one of Apple’s lawyers was smoking crack if he thought he had time to call as many witnesses as he proposed.

The supporting cast is also familiar, including many of the same lawyers, expert witnesses, etc.

Like any big Hollywood production, though, there were at least enough good moments to make for a decent trailer.

Some of the best drama came before the trial itself, during jury selection. Judge Koh dismissed 11 prospective jurors found chatting about the case. Also not on the final panel were one potential juror who called Apple a bully and another who was a former Apple store employee and current stockholder but had nonetheless promised to be impartial.

Of those who actually made it onto the jury, there are five with iPhones, one Sony user and a Nokia owner, but none with Samsung phones.

Witness testimony was largely a rehash of the first trial, though Schiller got in a couple zingers, including when he was asked if he recognized a certain Samsung tablet. “I can’t tell. From here it looks like an iPad to me.”

As most of the case is about damages, the most important witnesses – if not the most exciting – are the experts who try to put numbers on how much Samsung should pay.

There was considerable back and forth concerning Julie Davis, one of Apple’s key experts. On the stand, MIT professor John Hauser, another of Apple’s expert witnesses, extolled her qualifications, noting that she was in the accounting hall of fame.

“Not to disparage,” Samsung’s lawyer said, “but she’s in the Hall of Fame of Accounting at her college, Kansas State.”

“It’s still a pretty impressive honor,” Hauser said.

“I’m glad you are impressed by it,” Samsung’s lawyer said.

Samsung’s expert, Michael Wagner, testified that he held Davis in the highest regard, both personally and professionally. He then spent the rest of the testimony disagreeing with just about every part of her report, though he did give Davis a smile as he exited the stand.

For those who want to catch what’s left of the courtroom drama, the final testimony is expected this morning, followed by summations on Tuesday. But if you miss this week’s action, don’t worry. Another sequel is in development, with a new trial scheduled for next year in the same courthouse to decide if a new crop of products violate various Apple and Samsung patents.

Apple versus Samsung Full Coverage

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Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda: Apple Makes Case for Why It Deserves $379 Million More From Samsung